[GranteedEV]

My thoughts:

UFAs:

Shattenkirk - Way too expensive. Hard no.

Stone - Adequate stop gap thanks to offensive ability but not a long term solution due to defensive issues. I want him back if he's cheap but I don't want to pay him anything potentially crippling. And I think his ask will be crippling. Still the a good option with his point shot if the contract is a bargain.

Russell - same as Stone. Different visually but functionally the same kind of player as Stone - good but flawed. Still, for the type of team we should be building - hard skating, quick, there are worse options.

Alzner - See Russell and Stone, with less offense. Don't be fooled by the size and Holtby's save making ability. I'd rather have Stone by a mile.

Daley - At age 33 he'd be a perfect stop gap.

Del Zotto - My choice if Stone prices himself out. Should be affordable, and can play up the lineup. Doesn't fit that size aesthetic people on these boards are obsessed with but he's a good fit as a #4 / #5.

Franson - Good bottom pair option. Should work dollars-wise. Perfect player for bringing a kid like Kulak in.

McIlrath - The perfect #7. Some upside there too, but not so-trusted that the coach is going to play him in crucial playoff games. He'll take a minimum contract. I still remember a game against the rangers we played where he was paired with Yandle and looked strong in a second pair role.

Engelland - Not a guy you want playing top 6. Hurts the development of guys like Bennett, Wotherspoon and Kulak with his conservative decision-making forcing them into overly tough situations. I don't want him back, "toughness" be damned...

Kulikov - Young, but a drag on his team. Pass.

Bartkowski - Under contract, but not an NHL defenseman. Send him to the minors.

Prospects:

Kulak - NHL defenseman, but still a bit too soft to play top 4. Deserves to play 82 NHL games next year. I see a future top 4 guy but let's start with top 6. He's comfortable on the right side so that'd probably be an option. My biggest hope is they let him kill some penalties next year.

Andersson - IMO not NHL-ready. If we call him up he needs to play only on the right side, none of this left side nonsense. A great summer will go a long ways but just not the full ways.

Ollas-Mattsson - My dark horse. I think he's ready for the NHL and a better, more stable D than Wotherspoon. But knowing our management they'll be overly conservative in handling him. Sign him and bring him to NA, I hope.

Wotherspoon - NHL-ready, but replacement level. I would like him as a cheap #7. However I think there's enough potential there that they should roll with him as the #6 and see where it goes.

Kylington - Love his potential but he's still overwhelmed by the lack of time in the AHL game at times. More AHL time needed. I have a lot of belief in this kid unlike others on here.


I would like to go into next season with:

Giordano-Hamilton
Del Zotto-Brodie
Kulak-Franson
McIlrath

Ollas-Mattsson-Andersson
Kylington-Healy
Falkovsky-Wotherspoon